Amalfi Coast Road
Amalfi Coast comprises fifty twisting kilometers that hug the coastline and connect the towns in a long series of hairpin bends. The drive is part of the experience, not just the link between stops. That is why pace matters as much as the list of places.
Blossoming villages and breathtaking views, beaches, traditions, great music and good food are some of the expectations you can have as you travel along the State Road 163. SS163 connects Salerno with Sorrento on the two gulfs, in a unique position, between the gulfs of Naples and Salerno, in South West Italy. The SS163 runs for about 50 kilometers with curves that projects a precious and scenic lace, overhanging a turquoise sea. It has a single lane for every direction of travel, with stunning points of beauty.
Here are some unmissable stages that justify a weekend, but also a much longer vacation. Even a short route can feel satisfying if the stops are chosen carefully. The coast rewards selectivity more than constant motion.
Vietri sul Mare
From Salerno, only 5 km to the first stop of state road 163, there is Vietri sul Mare, a small center with a great name for its manufacture of pottery. The labs and the workshops are so many and it's worth visiting many and then choosing the favorite designs and colors. Among the historical addresses, the Ceramic Artistic Solimene, opened since 1947, has a wide range of highly qualified products ranging from floor tiles and tables to flatware, pots and jugs, to lamps, in the blue, yellow and turquoise colors, typical of tradition.
Cetara
In less than 6 km you will arrive at Cetara, a small fishing village known for its anchovy tradition and the amber-colored sauce produced through long salting and pressing. It is not always easy to find the original product, but local seafood pasta is still one of the best reasons to stop. Cetara works best as a food-led pause rather than a place to rush through.
Little more than 9.5 km away lies Maiori, known for its broader beach, which is relatively rare along the coast. One kilometer later you reach Minori, where the stop becomes more food-focused thanks to the historic Sal De Riso pastry shop on the promenade. Together they add a more relaxed and less vertical stretch to the route.
Atrani
Just 6 kilometers away from the heavier traffic, you will find tiny Atrani, a medieval fishing village with covered lanes, courtyards, staircases, and houses climbing from the beach toward the hill. Its scale is one of the reasons it stands out on a coast filled with larger names. Atrani is most rewarding when you let the village texture slow you down.
Ravello
From Atrani the road rises inland along 7.5 kilometers of curves toward Ravello. Its elevated position gives the town one of the coast's most memorable panoramic settings, especially from the Terrace of Infinity at Villa Cimbrone. Ravello is the stop that turns the route from coastal driving into a broader landscape experience.
Amalfi
Amalfi remains one of the coast's central stops because of its maritime history, seafront setting, and the Duomo with its imposing staircase and Cloister of Paradise. Via dei Mercanti is a good place to slow down for seafood and a glass of wine after exploring the center. Amalfi works best when you give both the architecture and the street life some time.
Positano
Just under ten kilometers, lies Positano, clinging to rock and terraces. The village has to be visited by walking slowly through the narrow lanes, along the steps guarded by the white walls of the houses, interrupted by gardens and cascades of bougainvillea and limestone pergolas. Shopping is among the musts of Positano: dozens of small and well-stocked stores that display dresses, shirts, trousers, knits in soft cotton, linen and silk fabrics, ceramics, jewelry and of course the famous handmade and custom made sandals.
How to Get to Amalfi?
By Car
The "Amalfi Drive" has just one lane in each direction and is often very busy. Considering the traffic and the endless curves, maximum caution at the wheel is essential. A slower plan usually improves both safety and enjoyment.
By Motorcycle and Scooter
A moped or motorcycle can be one of the most enjoyable ways to get around the Amalfi Coast. It offers more flexibility for short scenic stops and can reduce some parking stress. Even then, the road still demands attention because the curves and traffic remain serious.
By Public Transport
Buses operated by the Sita bus company run between all the towns along the Amalfi Coast. Although buses are frequent, the volume of traffic on the SS163 often means they do not run according to schedule. Be aware that buses do not run at night. You need to buy the ticket beforehand from any tabacchi store.
